COURSE INFORMATION SHEET 2010 - 2011

COURSE TITLE ______Spanish 7 ______COURSE NO. ______

TEACHER ______Mrs. Margery Jenkins ______

COURSE PREREQUISITE, IF ANY __Completion of Spanish 6______

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Our course in Spanish is open to all seventh graders and stresses understanding and speaking the Spanish language. The communicative, proficiency-based approach, with extensive use of visuals, is employed in presenting high frequency vocabulary and grammatical/structural concepts. Reading and writing skills and strategies are an integral component of the curriculum. Our primary goal is to help students develop linguistic proficiency and cultural sensitivity. By interweaving language and culture, our program seeks to broaden students’ communication skills while deepening their appreciation of other cultures. Each chapter contains cultural information geared toward areas of student interest, such as family, friends, school life, sports, foods, social customs, and leisure time activities.

2. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS TO STUDENTS

A. / Use of a three ring binder is required for the homework, hand-outs, and notes..
B. / Packets of practice and activity work sheets, grammar and vocabulary worksheets plus other printed material are distributed in class for each chapter. Packets from completed chapters including tests and quizzes are useful for review and should be stored at home in a separate folder which will be provided.
C. / 1. Each student will be called upon each day to do some type of oral work. It is important to participate daily.
2. Arrive prepared with textbook, notebook, pen and pencil.
3. Pay attention and follow directions the first time they are given.
4. Raise your hand and volunteer frequently.
5. Speak in Spanish as much as possible.
D. / It is important to remember that many factors contribute to your final grade. These include: attitude, class participation, attendance and effort.
E. / Review vocabulary each night by using index cards for a minimum of 10 minutes.
F. / Remember that this is a new language to most of us. Be patient and helpful to your classmates and be tolerant of one another.
G. / Speak as often as possible in class; it leads to fluency.
H. / Do all assignments; they lead to success in your studies.
I. / Ask questions.
J. / Always remember what we are here for -- the acquisition of a useful, satisfying, lifetimeskill. Try not to waste your class time. Everyone can learn a new language. There will come a day when you will be glad you did.
K. / Be a responsible and respectful learner.

3. COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM

Textbook: En Camino, Holt, Rinehart and Winston copyright 1999

- Activity book for communication

- Grammar & Vocabulary workbook

- Practice and Activity workbook

- Cassettes/CD’s

- Transparencies

- Videos

- Songs

- Games

-Reading selections:

  • Diolagos Simpáticos A reader for beginning Spanish students by Anthony J. DeNapoli

and Steven L. Levy

  • Cuentitos Simpáticos A reader for advanced beginning Spanish students by Rubin

Pfeiffer

4. HOMEWORK POLICY

The primary purpose for assigning homework is to give the student additional practice in developing his/her language competence. It obviously takes more time to learn a new language than the 40 minutes available in the daily school schedule. Homework is either oral preparation, written work, or reading for understanding. Homework is always given with the assurance that the particular assignment helps the student attain the objectives of the lesson. It should be stressed that homework always bears directly on the next day’s class and is an integral part of the student’s daily responsibility. Consequently, late assignments are not accepted for credit. After an extended illness, a conference with guidance and student is warranted to set reasonable expectations. Homework is assigned every day and should take an average student 20 to 30 minutes. Negligence in doing homework will result in a lower grade and a telephone call home.

5. EXAMINATION POLICY

- Regular quizzes: oral, written and listening.

- Chapter tests

- Oral work (recitation, class participation, presentations)

6. GRADING POLICY

The student’s grade will be weighted in the following ways:

30% reading/writing (includes reading and writing quizzes, chapter tests, and classwork)

35% listening (quizzes, tests, class work)

25% speaking (oral work recitation, as well as class participation)

10% homework

7. ATTENDANCE

Frequent absence will result in a parental conference. Attendance is essential for progress in this class. After an extended absence due to illness there will be one calendar week allowed to make up all tests, quizzes, and homework. Make an appointment for make ups as soon as you return to school from your illness. There is no make up for illegal absences. For extended absences due to trips and/or vacations, student must meet with the teacher and complete all work within one week upon return. Extended illness warrants a conference with guidance and student to set reasonable expectations.

8. TARDINESS

Lateness to class will not be tolerated as it disrupts students and teacher alike. Detention will be assigned after 3 tardies.

9. EXTRA HELP DAYS AND LOCATION

Extra-help is available after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:15 - 2:55 in room C206.

10. OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

A. / Voice mail: If you wish to speak with me, kindly call extension 2113 and state the date and time of day as well as the language class in which your youngster is enrolled. I will return your call by the end of the school day.
B. / progress reports will be sent home each quarter. If you do not receive one, please phone me for a copy. They will be sent home in October, February, April and May. Kindly check the school calendar for specific dates.

The University of the State of New York Second Language Proficiency Examination will be given at the completion of grade 8

STANDARDS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING:

COMMUNICATION

Standard 1.1Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.

Standard 1.2Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.

Standard 1.3Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics

CULTURES

Standard 2.1Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied

Standard 2.2Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures studied.